Defining the Under-Shepherd’s Role

Defining The Undershepherd's Role

WHAT IS AN UNDER-SHEPHERD?

An under shepherd is one who shepherds the congregational flock under senior leadership. Often

the responsibilities of the under shepherds are never defined, causing a clutter effect of ministry where everyone is sort of bumping into one another to work in one ministry. Usually the ministry suffers because of this lack of structure.

In this course, we will define the under shepherd’s role. We will break this up into six sub topics:

• Defining the under-shepherds’ role

• Responsibility

• Accountability

• Authority

• Method & Administration

• Direction

ROLE OF THE UNDER SHEPHERD

Allowing all truth to be told, the implementing of structure will be quite different from what many may be used to nevertheless it is designed to work out kinks in the flow of ministry. Let us dive into defining the under-shepherd.

Ministries are usually broken into different auxiliaries. Assistant and associate pastors are usually the heads of these auxiliaries. We call them under-shepherds because of their role in assisting the primary shepherd, which is the senior pastor. They have responsibility, a job description and are usually over a group of people in the ministry. This is why we refer to them as undershepherds. As I fore stated, their positions are usually not defined roles.

DEFINING THE UNDERSHEPHERD’S Role

defined, causing confusion in the flow of ministry. I have learned in recent times that iscrepancies are not always a bad thing; for they are the tell-tale signs that let us know something needs improvement. Take if you will, for instance the discrepancies of the under shepherd in the ministry; the clutter effect is caused when there is

• no direction for the under-shepherd,
• no responsibility specified,
• no structure is implemented.

Such causes are not the fault of the under-shepherd. These are the tell tale signs that the ministry itself needs revamping.

TRAINING

In addition, training for the under-shepherd is often missing or incomplete. I will explain what training is and what it is not.Training is not placing someone in a position and instructing them abstractly to watch another individual who was previously in the same position. We, as a ministry, fail the under-shepherd in this operation. Training was exemplified in the life of Jesus and the disciples,in that Jesus took personal time with the disciples training them in the ways of ministry but also allowing them to

operate in that training under his watchful care. When they erred Jesus reproved them but he also spiritually took them by the hand and walked them through ministry.

Consider the following passage of scripture

St. Luke 9:49-55 KJV

49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him because he followeth not with us.

50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to

go to Jerusalem,

52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to

make ready for him.

53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

54 And when his disciples James and John saw this,they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to

come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

Training is also shown in the life of Timotheus, also called Timothy. Paul gave specific instructions to Timothy as how to conduct ministry,

I Timothy 1:1-3 KJV

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

As a ministry, when we appoint people in certain positions of leadership, we are responsible for their training; that they might be adequate and spiritually fruitful in the position they now hold.

Often, training and specification of responsibility is neglected, leaving the under-shepherd with just a title. A title can be a very positive thing but can also be a negative thing if not properly defined and understood.

When an under-shepherd is left with just a title, he or she becomes a “people baby-sitter.” This causes spiritual frustration in the under-shepherd. That under-shepherd will always question themselves,

“I know I should be doing more than what I am doing.

“Am I fulfilling my purpose in God?”

Usually the answers are “yes” and “no.” Yes you should be doing more. No, you are not fulfilling your purpose in God because it has never been taught to you from a ministerial stand point.

THE EXCESSIVE PREACHER EFFECT

Another negative effect that a lack of training and definition causes is the “excessive preacher effect.” You’ll find that when an under-shepherd is under- worked and frustrated by his/her lack of ministerial activity, they will just become a preacher. This is not a preacher in a good way. I am speaking of that preacher that preaches when they should be taking the offering, praying or doing the benediction. They always have something to say because they are not performing actual ministry. They are full at all times.

Another thing that this excessive preaching signifies is their desire to be identified

as a minister.